Circuit interrupter and control therefor



1947- w. M. SCOTT, JR 2,426,243

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTEB. AND CONTROL THEREFOR Original Filed Jan. 3, 1941 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 W i r 1; mmmgiiq N mung-5g g a u INVENTOR.

Aug. 26, 1947. w. M. sco'r'r, JR 2,426,243

. CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER AND CONTROL THEREFOR 1 Original Filed Jan. 3, 1941 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 P 0 24 k a a: J 9 I f [i a a ATTORNEY.

Aug. 26, 1947. w. M. SCOTT, JR 2,425,243

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER AND CONTROL THEREFOR Original Filed Jan. 5, 1941 9 Sheets-5heet 3 ATTORNEY.

Aug. 26, 1947. w. M. SCOTT, JR

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER AND CONTROL THEREFOR Original Filed Jan. 3, 1941 9 Sheets$heet 4 murulll Ill 1 llllll a IIIII'IIFII.

mam-i u iwkwl llllllltllllrlflltllrlll I INVENTOR.

BY I

ATTORNEY.

Aug. 26, 1947.

W. M. SCOTT, JR

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER AND CONTROL THEREFOR Original Filed Jan. 3, 1941 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 26, 1947. w. M. SCOTT, JR

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER AND CONTROL THEREFOR Original Filed Jan. 3, 1941 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 z I vlllll/lllllllfllllll F'IG.8.

mu. 0 F E m H T L m T JN ..0 TC w D m C R E w M U R WR E T N I T I U C on I G Aug. 26, 1947.

' Original Filed Jan. 5, 1.941 9 Sheets smat i INVENEOR;

PIC 5,1].

ATTORNEY.

w. M, SCOTT, JR 2,426,243

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER AND CONTROL THEREFOR Original Filed Jan. 3, 1941 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 F l G I 2 ATTORNEY.

Aug. 26, 1947. w. M. SCOTT, JR 2,426,243

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER AND CONTROL THEREFOR Original Filed Jan. 3, 1941 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 IN\' NTOR. FIG :4. W g iu,

BY Z 2 ATTORNEY.

toward the open posltio Patented Aug. 26, 1947 CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER AND CONTROL THEREFOR William M. Scott,

to I-T-E Circuit Jr., Bryn lVIawr,Pa., Breaker Company,

I phia, Pa., a corporation Original application January 3,1941, Serial No.

373,051. Divided 1943, Serial No. 477,911

My invention relates in general to the field of circuit interrupters and more specifically concerns a novel and improved form circuit breaker and a control means therefor. This case is a division of my application Serial No. 373,051,

" a piston to cause circuit closures.

filed January 3, 1941, and entitled Circuit interrupter and control therefor.

It is frequently possible in certain .polyphase circuits that a single phase thereof may, under faulty, conditions, carry a current many times in excess of its rated value whereas the associated phases will continue to carry substantially normal'currents. Under these circumstances, it is particularly desirable to have an extremely high speed circuit breaker operate in the overloaded circuit with the subsequent-interruption of the other circuits.

More specifically, in the operation of a polyphase mercury arc rectifier, it is often that a single anode may, due to a back fire" or similar electronic iault carry excessive currents while normal conditions will prevail inthe associated anode circuits. I

It is obvious from mechanical considerations that a multiple breaker, wherein all of the poles are rigidly interlocked will require more time for interruption than a single pole breaker in the affected circuit. Therefore, in order to preclude possible destruction of the overloaded anode and its energizing circuits, it is desirable to have a high speed single pole circuit breaker in the anode circuit operate independently to open the affected anode circuit instantaneously. To complete the isolation of the rectifier, it is then necessary to actuate theremaining poles of the circuit breaker to cause the separation of all of the contacts.

My invention contemplates a high speed single pole circuit breaker of simple design which is particularly adaptable for use in the protection of polyphase circuits of the character described.

. Thus, I may combine a plurality of these single pole elements upon a common frame to form a multipole breaker in which each of the poles may open its contacts independently of the other poles. Normally, however, the contact of all or the poles may be simultaneously engaged and separated.

The single pole circuit breaker comprises essentially a pair of cooperable contacts, spring biased which may be engaged and maintained in engagement by any suitable pneumatic, electrical or mechanical means. Thus, compressed air may be introduced into a cylinder on each circuit breaker, and act upon I assignor Philadelof Pennsylvania and this application March 4,

15 Claims. (oi. m 2) However, if desired, a solenoid or an electric motor may be utilized for this purpose.

The contacts of the individual circuit breaker polesmay be separated by releasing the closing means or by automatically or manually disengaging a latch. This latch is carried upon a lever intermediate between the piston and a pivoted arm which carries the movable contact. In either the contacts will separate under the influence of the normal spring biasing means.

Trip free operation is provided by the latch and its associated contact carrying arm and thus the contacts will be automatically disengaged if closed upon a fault despite the continued operation of the closing mechanism.

, Each circuit breaker pole includes an overcurrent trip unit operatively arranged with respect to the latch,which may be of the conventional electromagnetic type. Thus over-current in one of the plurality of single pole circuit breakers will cause instantaneous interruption thereof. Due to the independence of the contact mechanisms, the compressed air within the closing cylinders of the associated breakers (assuming a pneumatically operated closing mechanism) will still maintain contact engagement. However, I provide an interlocking control system for the individual poles of the multipole breaker which in one form includes a switch on each of the circuit breaker poles actuated by displacement of the movable contact. These switches are arranged to energize the compressed air control means so that upon the separation of the contacts of an individual breaker due to automatic or manual energization, the compressed air within all closed cylinders will be released to effect complete isolation of the circuit into which the breaker is connected. This manner of interlocking the several poles employed may, of course, be employed with any other closing sysstem.

The individual circuit breakers are provided with any are extinguishing or are quenching structure such-as a magnetic blowout.

In my novel circuitbreaker, the movable contact and the closing apparatus required for each pole are supported within a metallic frame. This frame is mounted upon a pair of supporting members which inturn are carried by the main frame of the multipole breaker. The supporting members also carry the arc chute which is hingedly attached thereto to iacilitate contact inspection and repair. 1

A preferable pneumatic control system comprises a valve which determines the flow of air to a manifold communicating with each of the single pole closing cylinders. The valve may be operated manually by a pair of plungers, or may be operated automatically by solenoids which are in operative arrangement with respect. to the plungers- Energization of one of these solenoids will cause the control valve to admit air to the closing cylinders and energization of the other will release this air to cause contact separation.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a single pole circuit breaker of simple construction which opens its contacts at an extremely high speed and may be closed by pneumatic, electrical or mechanical means.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel mounting means for combining a plurality of individual single pole breakers to'provide a unitary multipole structure.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a multipole circuit breaker wherein the contacts of one pole may operate independently of the contacts of the associated poles.

A further object of my invention is to provide a circuit breaker wherein contact engagement is caused and maintained by pneumatic, electrical or mechanical means and contact separation by resilient means.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a multipole circuit breaker having individual poles interlocked so that automatic or manual tripping, of a single pole will cause the tripping of all of the associated poles.

Anotherobject of my invention is to provide a multipole circuit breaker which is formed by assembling a plurality of single pole circuit breakers interlocked by means of a common compressed air manifold.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a multipole circuit breaker formed of individual circuit breaker poles and interlocked by a compressed air manifold, the tripping of which is controlled by an electrically or manually operated valve.

These and other objects of my invention will become apparent from the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of the multi-pole circuit breaker and the supporting means therefor.

Figure 2 is a side view of one of the units taken along the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side view of one of the circuit breaker units illustrating the arc quencher in its raised position.

Figure 4 is a top view of the arc quenching unit taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of one of the unit taken along the line 55 of Figure 1. The contacts are illustrated in the closed position.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view corresponding to a portion of Figure 5 and showing the contacts immediately after tripping.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of one of the units corresponding to a portion of Figure 5 and showing the latch and contacts in their final open or reset position.

Figure 8 is an end sectional view of one of the circuit breaker units taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the magnetic blow out coil taken along line 99 of Figure 5.

. main portion extending parallel to upper flange- Figure 10 is a top cross-sectional view of the automatic trip unit taken along line Iii-Ill of Figure 5.

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the circuit breaker mounting means taken along the line ll-ll of Figure 5,

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the pneumatic operating means in the position corresponding to the circuit breaker open circuit position.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of thepneumatic operating means corresponding to the circuit breaker closed position.

Figure 14 is an end cross-sectional view of the pneumatic operating means taken along the line il-Il of Figure 13.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the circuit breaker is built upon a unit pole basis and any number may be assembled to form a multi-pole breaker. A six-pole breaker is illustrated in Figure 1. the individual poles being supported upon a common frame 2|, and operated from a central pneumatic means through compressed air manifold 22.

The main frame 2| as is more particularly illustrated in Figures 2 and 5 comprises a pair of parallel channels 23 and 24 which may be supported an any suitable manner. The individual circuit breaker poles are supported between these two channels by means of a plurality of parallel cross bars 26 which extend between the two channel members and are detachably secured thereto.

A main Ushaped metallic structure 28 carries the individual circuit breaker operating elements and is in turn supported by two of the parallel cross-bars 25, as is more clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 8. The U-shaped member 28 is fixed to the cross-bars 25 by means of a plurality of screws 21 which pass through metallic blocks 28 and engage in corresponding, threaded perforations II in a plurality of lugs 32. These lugs are preferably reinforced integral extensions of the walls of the U-shaped member 26.

The metallic blocks 20 are recessed at II to correspond with the periphery of the cross-bars 25. which are surfaced with an insulating material 34 in order to preclude short circuiting of the various conductive elements supported thereupon and to isolate the circuit breaker elements from the ground potential of the frame.

Each pair of cross-bars 25 and its associated.

circuit breaker pole is secured to the parallel channel 23 and 24 by a pair of clamping members 35, one of which is most clearly illustrated in Figure 11. This clamp, constitutes a ribbed of the channel with which it is respectively associated, and a pair of end extensions 38 which are arranged to press down upon the upper surfaces of the. cross-bars.

A metal plate 29 secured to the web of channel 24, projects above the upper flange thereof and serves to locate the ends of the cross-bars II during assembly. Also, a plurality of locating plates 38 of length equal to the distance between the two parallel cross-bars, are fixed to the channels to expedite uniform spacing of the individual circuit breaker poles. The required pressure between the cross-bars and the upper flange of the channel is obtained by an appropriate bolt 31 which freely passes through a central perforation ll in the clamp 35 and engages in a correhaving a contacting sponding threaded perforation 42 in the plate 35 and the flange of the channel member.

Thus'by tightening bolt 31 against the lock Washer 43, the clamp is brought to bear against the cross-bars and so secures each circuit breaker to the frame.

This type of circuit breaker mounting greatly facilitates the removal of the individual poles for repair and the subsequent assembly thereof. A single circuit breaker pole may be removed without disturbing the associated units by loosening the pair of clamps 35 associated therewith and removing the entire assembly by means of the two parallel cross-bars 25.

The mounting of each circuit breaker pole assembly comprises positioning the pair of parallel cross-bars 25 by means of the plates 29 and 35 and tightening the bolts 31. Furthermore, the circuit breaker elements may be disassembled and reassembled without necessarily removing the complete circuit breaker structure from the parallel channels 23 and 24. Thus, by loosening the bolts 21 the U-shaped member 26 and the operating mechanism associated therewith, may be removed.

An arc quenching unit 45, preferably of the magnetic blow out type, is provided for each of the circuit breaker poles. It is mounted upon the stationary contact and blow out coil assembly which is supported upon the insulated cross-bars 25 by means of metallic blocks 45 similar to the blocks 28 as will hereinafter be more completely described. The are quenching unit may be raised as illustrated in Figure 3 but during normal operation is in the lowered position as illustrated in Figure 5, when it is secured to the U-shaped frame 26.

Associated with the arcing chamber is a stationary contact 5| which is engageable by a pinrality of complementary movable contacts 52 as illustrated in Figures 3, 5, 6, '7 and 8. The movable contacts 52 are supported upon a contact carrying member 53 which comprises, as is illustrated in Figure 8, a pair of side member-s 54 and 55 maintained in spaced relationship by means of a spacer 56 at the base and by means of a cross-member 51 at the upper end thereof.

The plurality of movable contacts 52 are each supported upon an individual member 60, which members are in 'turn pivotally mounted upon a shaft 5|. The shaft 5| passes between corresponding aligned perforations in the side members 54 and 55 of the contact carrying arm.

The movable contacts 52 are angular members surface 62 and a supporting flange 53 through which a plurality of screws 54 pass and secure the contacts to the pivoted contact carrying members 80. Each contact carrying member 60 is provided with an extension. 65 to which a, flexible conductor 56 may be secured in any manner, as for instance, by the rivet B1.

In order to minimize the time required for circuit interruption, all of the movable members employed are made as light as possible. This necessitates a reduction in the cross-sectional area of the conductors, and consequently, there is an increase in the generation of heat.

Therefore, vertical vanes 1|, preferably made of light and highly conductive metal such as aluminum are fixed upon the contact carrying members 50 in order to provide a greater cooling surface and thus decrease the rate of contact deterioration. 1

Compression springs 12 supported within recesses 13 in the cross-member 51 of the contact operating arm and recesses 14 in each of the contact carrying members 60 bias the movable contacts 52 in a clockwise direction about shaft 5|, when viewed as in Figures 5, 6 and '1.

The stationary contact 5| which is supported within the arc quenching structure is a single member of length equal to the sum of the lengths of all of the movable contacts.

The multiplicity of movable contacts, each biased by an individual compression spring 14 is provided in order that effective low resistance engagement between the stationary and movable contacts may at all times be obtained.

Thus if due to the high temperature arcs which may be drawn between the contacts high spots or other similar deformations are formed upon either the stationary contact or any one of the movable contacts, the remaining movable contacts will still maintain an effective low resistance path therebetween.

The contact carrying arm 53 is supported and pivotally mounted upon the shaft 8| which in turn is secured to the side walls of the U-shaped frame 26. The arm 53 and its associated movable contacts 52 are continuously biased towards the open circuit position by means of a pair of tension springs 82 which are carried between'supports 83 and 84 that are pivotally mounted upon the shafts 6| and 85 respectively as is more clearly illustrated in Figures 3 and 8.

The open circuit position of the contacts is most clearly illustrated in Figure '1. It may be seen that the individual movable contacts 52 have been rotated with respect to shaft 6| by means of compression spring 12 so that the flat extensions 65 of the contact carrying members are in surface engagement with a projection 9| of the cross member 51. This projection serves to limit the maximum rotation of the individual contacts.

The tension springs 82 still exert a force upon the contact carrying arm and thus maintain the contacts 52 in the open circuit position. As illustrated, the pivoted support for ea'ch end of the tension springs 82 permits freedom of motion, and the ten-sion of spring 82 may be adjusted by pivoting the support 84 upon shaft 85 through any one of a plurality of perforations 92.

The open circuit position of the contact carrying arm '53 is determined by engagement between surface 94 of the cross member 51 and a contact buffer or resilient, shock absorbing member 95 which is fixed to the frame of the circuit breaker.

By rotating the arm '53 in a clockwise manner as viewed in Figure '7, engagement between contacts 52 and 5| is obtained. As a result, however, of the previous clockwise rotation of contact 52 about shaft 6| under the influenceof the compression springs 12, contact will first be established between the upper portions of contacts 52 and 5|. Continued clockwise rotation of the contact carrying arm 53, however, will cause the movable contacts to yield against the action of compression springs 12 and rotate about the pivot 6|.

Obviously this will cause a wiping action between the surfaces of these contacts, and when rotation of arm 53 is complete, surface engagement will be established over the lower areas of both movable and stationary contacts 52 and 5| as illustrated in Figures 3 and 5.

Conversely, counterclockwise rotation of the contact carrying arm 53 during circuit interruption will cause surface engagement to be transferred first from the lower areas to the upper areas of the contact faces prior to the actual disengagement between the two surfaces.

Thus it may be seen that contact will first be established by engagement of the upper portions of the contacts and circuit openings will occur over a similar portion thereof. Therefore, for most effective operation, each of the contacts may be faced with two bands of metal as illustrated in Figure 5. The lower portions of the contacts may be faced with a highly conductive material such as silver and the upper portions thereof may be faced with an are resistant material such as silver-graphite or silver-tungsten alloy.

Circuit breaker closures are effected by pneumatic means mounted upon the main supporting structure. As illustrated, most clearly in Figures 5, 6 and 7, a compressed air cylinder IOI is supported upon the circuit breaker frame and houses a piston I02 which is operated by means of compressed air delivered through the port I03. The cylinder head is an integral part of the U-shaped frame 20.

A cylindrical skirt I04 which is an integral portion of the piston I02 is in slidable relation with the interior of the cylinder IOI and carries a rod I05 between the walls thereof. A cup shaped packing member I is utilized to preclude air leakage and a bolt I01, which secures the packing to the piston I02 serves as a stop to limit the downward movement thereof.

The cylinder IN and its associated skirt I04 are slotted at III and H2 respectively so that a flatextension I I3 of the contact closing lever I I4 may communicate with the interior of the cylinder. A projection I I5 of the arm I I3 rests upon an unrestrained roller IIO which is supported upon the shaft I05 within the skirt I04.

The slots III and H2 are maintained in alignment by means Of a bolt III which has an unthreaded portion IIO of reduced diameter that engages an axial groove I2I within the wall of the skirt I04. The upward movement of the arm H3 and thus the piston and its associated skirt is limited by means of a stop I22 in the form of a bolt which projects through the cylinder head.

The lever II4 comprises the flat portion II 3 and a pair of integral parallel side members I23 and I24, as is illustrated in Figure 8, spaced upon a widened part of the arm II4. These parallel members contain aligned perforations I23 (see Figures 6 and 8) and the lever H4 is thereby rotatably supported upon the shaft 8|, which as previously described, also supports the contact carrying arm 53.

A latch I25 is pivotally supported within a bifurcated lower portion of the lever II4 by means of pin I20 and is continuously biased towards clockwise rotation about pin I20 by means of a compression spring I21 which is retained in a recess I20 in the lever H4. The latch I25 has a sloping surface I3I so that it may ride smoothly over a pin I32 which is rotatably supported with in ball bearings I33 recessed into the side members 54 and 55 of the contact carrying arm 53.

A notch I34 in the latch I25 is engageable with breaker and the lever II4 respectively. These tension springs I35 are arranged to bias the lever II4 to counterclockwise rotation about shaft 3| when viewed as in Figure 5. Accordingly the extension I I5 of the arm I I3 continuously biases the piston I02 downwardly as viewed in Figure 5.

If the latch I25 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction about pivot I20 when viewed as in Figure 5, to disengage the pin I32, the contact carrying arm 53 will be free to move under the influence of tension springs 32 and will thus be rapidly displaced to the open circuit position which is determined by contact buffer 35 as illustrated in Figure 6.

If now the force which maintains piston I02 in the raised position against the force which is transmitted thereto from spring I35 by means of arm I I3, that is, if air pressure existing within the lower portion of cylinder MI is released, then the lever II4 will rotate about pivot 3| under the influence of spring I35 to the position illustrated in Figure 7.

However, in moving from the position illustrated in Figure 6 to that illustrated in Figure 7, the edge I3I of the latch will ride over the pin I32 and cause the engagement therebetween as illustrated in Figure '1. The contacts therefore may now be reclosed by introducing air under pressure through the port I03 into the lower portion of the cylinder. This will cause the piston to rise which will correspondingly rotate the lever arm II4 about the pivot 3|, and inasmuch as the pin I32 is captured within the notch I34, this movement of lever arm II4 will cause rotation of contact arm 53 and contact engagement as illustrated in Figure 5.

the pin I32 as illustrated in Figure 5. It may be The latch I25 may be actuated by means of a plunger I which is partof the tripping unit I42. This plunger may be operated automatically under fault conditions which will hereinafter be described, or may be operated manually by raising the plunger knob I43. Thus when the contacts are in the position illustrated in Figure 5, circuit interruption may be obtained by manually o: automatically causing the operation of plunger I I.

As previously described, this will result in the contact moving to the position illustrated in FIgure 6. Since it is desirable to place the breaker in condition for immediate reclosure, means must necessarily be provided for releasing the air contained within the lower portion of cylinder III seen after the circuit interruption. Upon release of air pressure from the cylinder, the springs I35 cause the piston to assume the position illustrated in Figure 7 and permits the latch to recapture the pin I32 of the contact carrying arm 53.

The control system will be described In a later paragraph.

The trip unit I42 may comprise any of the well known solenoid or similar electromagnetic devices for actuating a plunger such as I4I to raise the latch upon fault current. For certain applications, the trip unit may be arranged to cause circuit interruption for relatively low values of reverse current and relatively high values of forward current, according to the particular appli cation thereof.

It may be seen that the individual circuit breaker poles and the operating mechanism associated therewith are entirely trip free. Thus, assume the contacts to be in the position illustrated in Figure 7 and assume that it is desired to close the circuit breaker. The introduction of compressed air of any fluid under pressure into 9 the lower portion of cylinder IOI will cause the clockwise rotation of lever H4 and accordingly clockwise rotation of contact carrying arm 53, the force required therefor being transmitted through the latch I25.

If a fault occurs during the engagement of the contacts 52 and the trip unit will instantaneously be energized to raise the latch I25. This will immediately cause the disengagement of contact carrying arm 53 from lever H4 and permit rapid return to the open circuit position as illustrated in Figure 6, despite the fact that air may still be allowed to enter into the cylinder IOI.

When the circuit breaker operating mechanism is in the position illustrated in Figure 5, the tension springs 82 and the tension spring I35 all exert a force upon the members which tends to rotate the contact carrying arm to the open circuit position.

Tripping, as has hereinabove been described, may be accomplished by raising the latch I25. The contact carrying arm 53 will then be displaced to the open circuit position under the influence of springs 02. However, tripping may also be accomplished by releasing the air contained within cylinder IOI. Under these circumstances, the contact carrying arm will again be displaced towards the open circuit position under the influence of tension springs 02. Also, the combined effort of the springs 82 and I35 accelerate the downward motion of the piston and increase the rate at which air is exhausted from the cylinder.

Should any fault develop in the air lines, then the consequent decrease in the air pressure within the cylinder will result in the opening of the circuit breaker.

The are quencher 45 as illustrated is of the well known magnetic blow out type. Essentially this structure comprises a pair of parallel insulating plates 20I and 202 as illustrated in Figures 4 and 8, spaced by the end insulating members 203 and 204. Within the box like structure formed thereby are a plurality of parallel insulating plates 205 in spaced relation with each other which form a plurality of fines exhausting to the atmosphere through the open top of the arc ouencher. The parallel insulating plates 205 are separated by spacers 206' which are in turn supported by means of the bolts 201 which pass through the arc quencher.

Mounted upon the sides of the arc quenching structure are a plurality of magnetizable members 2I I. and 2I3 formed from some laminated material and each communicating with and connected to a central magnetic member 2I2 by means of the bolts 2I0 passing through extensions 2I4. The magnetic members 21 I and 2I3 are positioned against the side insulating plates 20I and 202 by means of a plurality of straps 2 I 5 fastened thereto by the bolts 201, which as previously mentioned serve also to space the plates 205.

The entire structure is pivotally mounted, by means of a pair of plates 220, which are secured to the walls of the arc quenching structure as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, upon a shaft 2I1 which in turn is supported by means of the metallic brace 22L (This brace is fastened as illustrated in Figure 5 to one section of the coil 2I5 by means of the bolts 225.)

y The magnetic mem bers 2I I-2I3 are magnetically energized by means of a coil 2I6 which is supported upon the insulated cross bars 25. Thus, as is illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7, a plate 222 is secured to the cross bars 25 by means of clamping blocks 46 and associated bolts 223 in a manner similar to the mounting for the U-shaped frame 26. This plate contains additional perforations for permitting the attachment of the coil 2I6 by means of bolts 224 which pass into tapped holes in the coil members.

The coil 2I6 is a double turn of copper of rectangular cross section through which the line current flows. Thus, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 9, the current enters from the bus bar 226 which is fastened directly to one section 221 of the coil 2I6. Thi section 221 passes completely around a rectangular magnetic core 23I and then branches out at 232 into two parallel sections 233 and 234 which again pass around the core 23I. Each of these two sections then branches out again at 235 and 236 into two additional sections 231 and 230 and upon completing their htalzf lcircuit about the core are joined together a This novel arrangement thus provides the equivalent of two complete turns about the magnetic core 23I. The individual turns of the coil are braced by the insulating bolts 243 which pass through aligned perforation 244.

The core 23I as is more clearly illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 8 is formed from a series of stacked rectangular laminations of some magnetic material such as soft iron clamped together by means of the bolts 25 I.

These laminations are stacked with their poles to form a U-shaped magnet having the two side members 252 and 253 extending from the central core 231. These side members as illustrated come into close frictional contact with the central magnetic structure 2I2 supported upon the sides of the arcing chamber.

Thu when the arcing chamber is lowered, as illustrated in Figure 2, energization of the core 23I by the line current flowing through the coil 2I6 will cause the magnetization of all of the members 2I I, 2I2, 2I3 which are strapped to the sides of the arcing chamber to produce a transverse magnetic field across the arc quencher.

The magnetic core 23I is wrapped with an insulating material 253 to preclude the short circuiting of the turns of the coils 2 I 6.

The coil 2l6 terminates in the extension MI, and as indicated in Figures 5, 6 and '7, the sta tionary contact 5| i supported thereupon by means of a plurality of bolts 254 which pass through countersunk perforations therein and engage correspondingly threaded perforations in the extension 24 I. a

A plurality of projections 255 and 256 are provided upon the coil 2I6 in order to properly position the coil and the attached arcing chamber upon the plate 222.

The material utilized for the coil'is preferably a highly conductive one such as copper, the crosssectional area of which is selected to carry normal load currents at standard temperature rise. The coil is braced to withstand the mechanical stresses imposed thereon by the weight of the are chute, and those imposed during the flow of fault currents.

A conductive arcing plate 26I of resilient material, extends along the lower insulating plate 263 of the arc chute and is fastened thereto by means of the screws 265, which also secure the replaceable arcing horn 264. When the arc chute is in normal position as indicated in Figure 5, the plate 2BI is sprung away from the insulating plate and presses against the stationary contact 5| within a recess 262. This pressure ensure low resistance engagement between the conductive members to provide for the flow of the arcing current.

This arrangement permits the pivoting of the arc chute when necessary and the flow of arcing current when the arc chute is in its normal position.

The flexible conductor 66, joined at one end to the movable contacts, is electrically connected, at the other end, to the trip coil and to the main frame 26.

The trip coil may comprise, as seen in Figures and 10, a single turn of copper about a control magnetic member. The flexible conductor 66 is fastened to the coil upon the integral projection 230 at one end, and the bus bar 281 is joined to the other end. The uninsulated bolts 291 passing through perforations in the trip coil fix the coil to the main frame 26 and thereby maintain this frame at the potential of the movable contact. Additional support is provided for the coil by bolt 292. However, this bolt is insulated from the frame as shown in Figure 5, to preclude the short circuiting of the trip coil.

A secondary complementary metal arcing horn 266 is disposed upon the lower insulating plate 261 and the lower edge 211 thereof is arranged to be adjacent the end 212 of the movable contact 52 when the contact is in the open position as is best illustrated in Figure '7.

An integral projection 213 of the arcing horn 266 is perforated at 214 and is engageable with a stud 215 which is mounted upon the main frame 26 of the circuit breaker. A pair of adjustable nuts 216 provide means for positioning and securely clamping projection 213 to the main frame through stud 215.

This extension 213 which is fixed to the arc quenching unit therefore provide means for locking the arc quencher to the main frame. Also since it is metallic and is mechanically and electrically connected to the main frame of the circuit breaker it is at the potential of the movable contact. It is therefore possible to transfer the are drawn during circuit interruption from movable contact to the lower portion 211 of the metallic arcing horn 266.

The current entering at bus bar 226 flows through coil 216 and through the integral extension 241. The current then passes through the engaged contact and through the flexible conductor 66 and through the tripping unit 142 and leaves the circuit breaker by means of bus bar 261,

As is illustrated in Figure 5, the central portion 212 of the magnetic members which are supported upon the side walls of the arc chute are disposed in the vicinity of the contacts, when the arc chute is lowered.

The polarity of the magnetized members (due to the line current flowing through the coil) is arranged so that the transverse magnetic field passing through the arcing chamber will act upon arcs drawn between the contacts in a manner which will force them up into the chamber; the arc terminals travelling along the metallic sheets 261 and 266. The are chute acts in the well known manner to attenuate and quench arcs drawn between the contacts and transferred to the arcing horns.

In order to inspect the contacts, the upper of the two nuts 216 is removed and the entire arc chute is swung back about its pivot 211 to the position indicated in Figure 3. This exposes as is seen in Figure 3, both the stationary and movable contacts and thus greatly facilitates cleaning and replacement thereof.

Control system As previously described, circuit closures are effected by means of the piston 102 operating in cylinder 101 by compressed air delivered from an air storage means.

The air is delivered to the cylinder 101 through the insulated pipe 301, suitably connected thereto, and through an electrically controlled valve interposed between the air supply and the operating cylinders.

The control valve which is most clearly illustrated in Figures 12, 13 and 14 is operated by a pair of oppositely disposed solenoids; that is, trip solenoid 302 and closing solenoid 303.

Compressed air from the storage mean enters the control valve through pipe 304 and flows to and from the operating cylinder through the manifold 32. These pipes 304 and 22 are secured to the valve by means of a block 306 suitably perforated which, in turn, is supported upon the main circuit breaker frame, as illustrated in Figure 1.

The control valve comprises a cylindrical body portion 301 which is secured to the block 306 by a plurality of bolts 281 which pass through corresponding lugs 295 on either side of the block 306 and the cylindrical body 301 respectively. A gasket 311 is interposed between these members to prevent air leakage thereat.

The cylindrical member 301 is cored to produce annular air chambers 312 and 313 which are separated by means of an integrally cast partition 314. Supported upon the partition is another hollow cylindrical member 315 which is bored out to aiford a passage 316 between the two annular chambers 312 and 313.

Operable within the cylinder 316 is a spoolshaped member 311 which essentially comprises a central portion of narrow diameter and two pistions 321 and 322 which are operable along the inner surface thereof.

The end 323 of the inner cylindrical member is of smaller diameter than the opposite end thereof in order to provide an abutment 324 for a compression spring 325 which constantly exerts a force on piston 321 towards the left as viewed in Figure 12 and Figure 13.

Adjacent the pistons, as indicated more particularly in Figure 14, are star-shaped elements 331 and 332 as indicated in Figure 14, which maintain alignment when the pistons are displaced beyond the ends of the passage; while permitting air to flow therethrough.

The open ends of the main cylindrical member 301 are sealed by a pair of flexible diaphragm valves 331 and 336 firmly secured thereto by a corresponding pair of dome shaped circular members 333 and 334, fastened to the main structure by any suitable means as for example screws 335.

The diaphragm 336 is free of the piston 321 whereas the diaphragm 331 is attached by means of screws 341 and metal plate 342 to the piston 322. In addition, piston 322 also carries a cylindrical member 343 which is faced with a layer of valve seat material 344.

This cylindrical member 343 is preferably fixed to a rod 345 which is slidable within a corresponding perforation 346 within the piston 322 and is constantly biased from the diaphragm 331 by means of leaf spring 341 which accordingly serves as a shock absorber during closures of valve 344, as will be described.

As illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, the circuit breaker closing manifold 22 enters into the cylinder 3l6 which is supported by partition 3. Air is exhausted from the control valve through annular passage 313 and the exhaust pipe 335 connected thereto. When the control system valves are arranged as illustrated in Figure 12, the circuit breaker air cylinders l4! are at atmospheric pressure and the contacts are in the open circuit position as in Figure '1.

The air in annular passage 3l2 is at the pressure of the supply system, and thus the left face of diaphragm 331 is acted upon by a corresponding force. However, as illustrated, a small passage 352 interconnects the dome 353 and the annular chamber 3l2, thus equalizing the unit pressures on the faces of diaphragm 331.

Since the high pressure air in annular space 3|2 acts upon an annular area whereas high pressure air within the space 333 acts upon a full circular area of equal outer diameter, the diaphragm valve 331 is displaced to the left (the maximum displacement being indicated in Figure 12). The spring 325, as may also be seen, acting upon the spool shaped member 3", adds to the force which draws.diaphragm 331 in this direction. I

When the valve diaphragms are in the position indicated, the circuit breaker operating cylinders l| are vented through insulating pipe 301 and through pipe 22 which. leads to the cylindrical passage 3l6. The air is then free to flow from this passage through the star-shaped element 332 into the annular passage (H3 and thus to the atmosphere through the exhaust pipe 35L Pressures on the opposite faces of diaphragm 336 are equalized through small passage 354 which interconnects the manifold 22 and the dome shaped space 355.

Fine strainers are preferably introduced into the auxiliary equalizing passages 352 and 354 to preclude the entry into the dome of dust or other foreign particles which would cause faulty seating of the valves.

The dome-shaped elements 333 and 334 are centrally perforated at 36| and 362 respectively to form a pair of auxiliary valves which may be sealed by solenoid plungers 365 and 366 surfaced with layers of valve seat material 363 and 364 respectively. These plungers are spring pressed toward their respective valves by compression springs 361 and 3H which are retained within axial recesses in the plunger and in the solenoid stops 369 and 310. The force exerted by the springs must be sufficient to ensure effective valve closures when full suppl pressure exists within the dome shaped spaces. Manual operation of the plungers is provided for by plunger rod 312 and 313 tapped into their corresponding plungers and which pass through appropriate centralizing bushings in the solenoid steps.

The coils solenoids 302 and 303 are preferably energized from a control circuit hereinafter described and are supported upon the main valve structure by means of the post 38 I.

Control valve operation As previously mentioned, when the valve mem bers are as illustrated in Figure 12, the circuit breaker contacts are open and the manifold 22 is vented through exhaust pipe 35| to the atmosphere.

If the closing solenoid 303' is energized or if the plunger rod 313 is actuated so that the plunger 366 is drawn in against the action of compression spring 3H and bears against its corresponding stop 310, then the passage 362 will vent the dome shaped space 353 to the atmosphere.

Inasmuch as the equalizing air flow through relatively smallpassage 332 is less than the air flow to the atmosphere through the larger passage 362, the high pressure air within chamber 3l2 will act to displace diaphragm 331 toward the right when viewed as in Figure 12.

The displacement of diaphragm 331 will accordingly cause the displacement of the attached spool-shaped member 3H and thus piston 322 will move beyond the open end 323 of cylindrical member 3l3 and permit the high pressure air to enter the circuit breaker manifold through the star-shaped member 33! as is more particularly illustrated in Figure 13.

Piston 32l will, by virtue of the displacement of the entire member 3I1, enter the cylinder 3l5 and block the fiow of air from the manifold to the atmosphere through pipe 351.

The increase in pressure within manifold 22 will cause a corresponding increase in pressure in the space 355 due to the equalizing passage 354. Since the right hand face of this diaphragm is obviously at atmospheric pressure, this increase in pressure Will act to force and maintain flexible diaphragm 336 against its seat 382 and thus effectively seal the passage 3l6.

Thus actuation of plunger 366, as hereinabove mentioned, will cause the various operating members to assume the positions illustrated in Figure 13, wherein as indicated by the air flow arrowheads, compressed air from the supply passes through the star-shaped member 33! and enters the circuit breaker manifold 22 and thus causes contact engagement.

The cylindrical member 343 and its associated valve seat 344 will act subsequent to displacement to seal passage 362 against the escape of high pressure air. Subsequent to circuit breaker closure, there will be no tendency for the spool shaped member to return to the position indicated in Figure 12, since the combined forces of the high pressure air acting upon the left surfaces of the diaphragms is substantially greater than the combined forces of the compression spring 325 and the air acting on the right surface of diaphragm 331.

The closing solenoid plunger 366 may be permitted to return to the position indicated in Figure 12 to minimize air leakage through passage 362.

The diaphragm 331 a illustrated in Figure 13 is maintained in a' position clear of its seat and thus permits air flow through star-shaped member 33| to compensate for any leakage within the various elements, as for instance. the circuit breaker closing cylinders.

Energization of the tri solenoid 302, or manual actuation of rod 312 to cause the displacement of plunger 365 to the left as viewed in Fig ure l2 and 13, and will accordingly permit air passage 36! to vent the high pressure air contained within the dome 355 to the atmosphere.

The venting action will occur at a more rapid rate than the flow of equalizing air from the high pressure manifold through passage 354 and thus the diaphragm 336 will tend to move towards its neutral position.

Therefore, under the influence of spring 325 and the hi h pressure air, the spool shaped member 3l1 will correspondingly be displaced and thus will pull the diaphragm 331 against its seat to may be allowed to close passage 36l as is required for a succeeding circuit closure.

The hereinabove described multipole circuit interrupter and the associated pneumatic control system provide effective means for instantaneously interrupting fault currents flowing in the circuit to which it is connected. However, this form of circuit breaker is particularly advantageous in polyphase circuits wherein a single phase may, upon the occurrence of a fault, be

subjected to a current far in excess of the rated value, whereas the other phases may continue to carry a substantially safe current.

This type of fault is commonly found in the operation of polyphase mercury arc rectifiers and is known as a backfire. Upon the establishment of a backfire, the faulty anode i subjected to the current from each of the other anodes and from the rectifier cathode.

Obviously, upon the occurrence of such a fault, it is desirable to have an interrupter in the affected anode circuit open as rapidly as is possible to preclude the destruction of the anode or the transformer feeding the anode. A minimum interrupting time will be obtained if the affected anode breaker pole is permitted to open independently of the unaffected anode breaker poles while automatically energizing a control which will cause the operation of all the breakers to isolate the circuit.

Thus, if in the multipole circuit breaker illustrated in Figure 1, a fault actuates the tripping unit of'a single pole, its latch I25 will be raised and permit the instantaneous opening of its contacts under the influence of tension springs 82. The contact carrying arm is preferably arranged, as previously mentioned, to actuate the pneumatic means to vent the cylinders lill. Accordingly, an auxiliary switch may be supported upon each circuit breaker pole, operable by the contact carrying arm 53. All of the switches are joined in series and are arranged so that the switch contacts are closed when the associated circuit breaker pole is closed.

This series arrangement of switches is in circuit with a relay which is energized when all of the switches are closed. Deenergization of the relay closes contacts thereupon which in turn causes the energization of the tripping solenoid 302 to vent the closing cylinders ID I.

Hence, the automatic tripping of a single pole will open a set of contacts in the relay circuit and permit the venting of the manifold 22 and all of the circuit breaker closing cylinders. The release of the compressed air automatically places all the poles of the breaker in condition for reclosure.

Therefore this breaker and associated control system provide means whereby an individual phase of a polyphase network may be opened instantaneously and independently of its associated phases. The same circuit breaker equipment permits the simultaneous closure and interruption of all of the circuit poles.

Since various modifications of the hereinabove described circuit breaker and control system will be evident to those skilled in the art, I prefer to be bound, not by these specific disclosures, but by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In switch gear for controlling electrical circuits, a movable contact structure, a complementary contact structure, compressed air operating means for actuatin and maintaining said movable contact into engagement with said complementary contact; a source of compressed air, means interconnecting said compressed air source and said operating means, said interconnecting means including a control valve, said valve comprising metallic seating members and operating means therefor comprising a pair of flexible diaphragms operable by the pressure of the air and controllable by a. pair of auxiliary valves.

2. In switchgear for controlling electrical circuits, a movable contact structure, a complementary contact structure, compressed air operating means for actuating said movable contact into engagement with said complementary contact; a source of compressed air, means interconnecting said compressed air source and said operating means, said interconnecting means including a control valve, said valve comprising a hollow cylindrical body centrally supported within an outer cylindrical enclosure, a first pipe connection communicating with said inner body, pipe connections communicating with the spaces surroundin the ends of said inner body, a closure for each end of said outer enclosure, a flexible diaphragm secured between each of said closures and said outer enclosure, said diaphragms being movable toward and away from the ends of said inner cylindrical body to prevent and to permit communication between said spaces and said inner body.

3. In electrical protective equipment for a polyphase circuit, individual circuit breaker elements in each phase thereof, each of said elements comprising a pair of cooperable contacts normally biased toward the open circuit position, a pneumatic cylinder and piston, mechanism operable by displacements of said piston for closing and maintaining said contacts in current carrying engagement, a source of compressed air, a manifold interconnecting said air source and all of said cylinders, control means for governing the pressure within said manifold for controlling the displacement of said pistons, said control means including a valve, said valve comprising a pair of flexible diaphragms operable by the pressure of the air and by a pair of auxiliary valves for controlling the operation or said diaphragms, and means for controlling the operation of said control means in accordance with circuit conditions of said circuit breaker.

4. In electrical protective equipment for a polyphase circuit, individual circuit breaker elements in each phase thereof, each of said elements comprising a pair of cooperable contacts normally biased toward the open circuit position, a pneumatic cylinder and piston, mechanism operable by displacements of said piston for closing and maintaining said contacts in current carrying engagement, a source of compressed air, a manifold interconnecting said air source and all of said cylinders, control means for governing the pressure within said manifold for controlling the displacement of said pistons, said control means comprising an electrically operated valve and a or said contacts, said valve comprising said compressed air and valves for controlling the operation or said dia- -cluding a valve,

' rounding the ends 17 said elements, said switch bewith the movement a pair of flexible diaphragms operable by the pressure of by a pair of auxiliary switch on each ing operable in accordance phragms. v

5. In electrical protective equipment for a polyphase circuit, individual circuit breaker elements in each phase thereoi, each of said elements comprising a pair or cooperable contacts normally biased toward the open circuit mati'c cylinder and piston, mechanism operable by displacements of said piston for closing and maintaining said contacts in current carrying engagement, a source of interconnecting said air source and all of said cylinders, control means for governing the pressure within said maniiold for controlling the displacement of said pistons, said control means ini said valve comprising a hollow cylindrical body centrally supported within an outercylindrical enclosure, a first pipeconnection communicating with said inner body, pipe connections communicating with the spaces sur- Ior each end of said outer enclosure, a'flexible diaphragm secured between each of said closures and said outer enclosure, said diaphragms being movable toward and away from the ends of said inner cylindrical body to prevent and to permit compressed air, a manifold position, a pneuor said inner body, a closure I contacts, whereby each communication between said spaces and said inner body. 6. In electrical protective equipment for a polyphase circuit, individual circuit breaker elements in each phase thereof, each of said elements comprising a pair of cooperable contacts normally biased toward the open circuit position, a pneumatic cylinder and piston, mechanism operable by displacements of said piston for closing and maintaining said contacts in current carrying engagement, a source of compressed air, a manifold interconnecting said air source and allof said cylinders, control means for governing the pressure within said manifold for controlling the displacement of said pistons, and means tor controlling the admission and exhaustion of compressed air into and from said cylinder, said means including a valve, said valve comprising a hollow cylindrical body centrally supported within an outer cylindrical enclosure, 3. first pipe connection communicating with said inner bod pipe connections communicating with the spaces surrounding the ends of said inner body, a closure for each end of said outer enclosure, a flexible diaphragm secured between each of said closures and said outer enclosure, said diaphragms being movable toward and away irom the ends of said inner cylindrical body to prevent andto permit communication between said spaces and said compris- -said manually controlled means fluid; mechanical means 8. In a multi-circuit breaker system comprising a plurality of circuit breakers, each having a fixed and a movable fluid; means individual to each circuit breaker for manually controlling the application 01 said compressed fluid for operating the associated contacts to closed position; means individual to each of said. breakers and responsive to circuit conditions for operating its associated contacts to open, position independently of the operation of for providing trip-free operation.

9. In electrical protective equipment for apolyphase circuit, individual circuit breaker elements in each phase thereof, each or said elements comprising a pair of cooperable contacts biased while in closed position toward opencircuit position; a source of high pressure fluid; means controlled by said fluid pressure for operating and maintaining said contacts in circuit closing position; auto-' matic means independent of means and individual to each of said circuit breakers for operating its individual circuit breaker elements to open position in response to predetermined circuit conditions of its associated circuit, means controlled by said automatic means for disconnecting said operating means from said of said circuit breakers is trip-free; and means whereby said fluid pressure control means may're-operate said affected circuit breaker to closed position.

'10. In combination, a plurality of circuit breakers, each having individual cooperable contacts; spring means individual to each of said circuit breakers normally biasing its associated contacts to open position; common to all 0! .a source of high pressure fluid said breakers and individually operating each'oi said breakers against its spring means .to closed position; means individual to each oi said circuit breakers'and responsive to circuit conditions at its contacts for disconnecting said common source of fluid from the individual contacts of the affected breaker whereby said contacts are operated by its spring means to open position; and means for reconnecting said source'of fluid to said contacts for re-operating said contacts to closed position.

11. In combination, a plurality oiv circuit breakers, each having individual cooperable contacts; spring means individual to each of said circuit breakers for operating its associated con tacts to open position; a source of high pressure fluid; a latch mechanism lever members interlocked by said latch mechanism, one of said levers operating said contacts and another of said levers being controlled by said fluid for individually operating said contacts against said sp ing means to closed position, said latch being operable in-response to predetermined circuit conditions for disengaging said lever members to permit said contacts'to be disengaged while said fluid pressure is still being applied 12. In combination, a plurality of circuit. breakers, each having individual cooperable contacts; spring means individual to each 0! said circuit breakers for operating its associated contacts to open position; a source 0! high pressure including a latch mechanism controlled by said fluid for individually operating said contacts against said spring means to closed position; and means individual to each 01 said breakers and responsive to predetermined circuit conditions at its associated contacts for operating said latch mechanism to disconnect contact; a source 'oicomprcssed said last mentioned said source from said contacts whereby said breakers are trip-free and each breaker may be tripped independently of the other breakers.

13. In combination, a plurality of circuit breakers, each having individual cooperable contacts; spring means individual to each of said circuit breakers for operating-its associated contacts to open position; a source of high pressure fluid; mechanical means including a latch mechanism controlled by said fluid i'or individually operating said contacts against said spring means to closed position; and means individual to each of said breakers and responsive to predetermined circuit conditions at its associated contacts for operating said latch mechanism to disconnect said source from said contacts whereby said.

breakers are trip-free and eachbreaker may be tripped independently of the other breakers; and

means for reconnecting said source to said contacts.

14. In combination, a plurality oi circuit 20 re-engage the said contacts for control by said fluid pressure.

15. In a system for controlling the closing and opening of circuit breaker contacts; a first fluid line carrying a high pressure fluid, a second fluid line, a valve opening for connecting said flrst and second lines, a metallic valve for seating in said valve opening, a second valve opening for venting said second line, a metallic valve for seating in said last mentioned valve opening, and diaphragm means operable by fluid pressure in said system for controlling the operation of said metallic valves into and out of their respective valve seats to disconnect and connect said lines, means responsive to predetermined circuit conditions at the contacts 01' a circuit breaker for controlling the pressure at said diaphragm means to operate said first mentioned valve to its seat in said first mentioned valve opening for disconnecting said first and second line and to thereafter operate said second valve out of its valve seat to vent cuit breakers for operating its associated contacts. I

to open position; a source of high pressure fluid; mechanical means including a latch mechanism controlled by said fluid for individuallyoperating said contacts against said spring means to closed position; and means individual to each of said breakers and responsive to predetermined circuit conditions at its associated contacts for operating said latch mechanism to disconnect said source from said contacts whereby said breakers are trip-free and each breaker may be tripped independently of the other breakers; and means for reconnecting said source to said contacts; said means comprising means for reducing said fluid pressure; said latch being responsive thereto to said second line.

WILLIAM M. SCOTT, Jx.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,764,415 Riley June 1'7, 1930 1,872,342 Riley Aug. 16, 1932 2,211,319 Camerota Aug. 13, 1940 746,337 Junggren Dec. 8, 1903 2,270,353 Spurck Jan. 20, 1942 1,376,436 Hippie May 3, 1921 2,150,584 MacNeill Mar. 14, 1939 2,248,851 Canfieid July 8, 1941 

